Why Alwin Nikolais?

You may be asking yourself, "Why the interest in Alwin Nikolais? What is so special about him?"  Well, the answer is- fearlessness.  
Alwin Nikolais was not afraid to step outside of the norm and go against the expected.  Before he broke away from the teachings of Hanya Holm, he practiced self-expression and giving in to your impulses.  After Nikolais went his own way, he decided he wanted to leave behind the idea of self-expression and instead let the lights, props, costumes, and music tell the story rather than the movements and expressions of the dancers.  He took away the self-expression by creating costumes and props that made his dancers look otherworldly. 


This caught my attention because, like most people, I get bored with the expected.  If you go through the same motions and see the same thing every day then where is the fun.  Nikolais challenged this routine that dance was stuck in by improvising changes instead of waiting for technology to catch up.  I love reading about and seeing pictures of his breathtaking performances because "different" to me is something I consider a compliment and what I aspire to be.  I don't want to follow and be just like everyone else.  What kind of life is that if no one can tell you apart.  Similarity makes you replaceable.  



Nikolais proves that if you practice what feels right and are confident in what you do, others will accept and appreciate your work.  He is an inspiration to take risks and to remove yourself from the crowd.  To be fearless.  

Sources: 
https://www.dancemagazine.com/tbt-alwin-nikolais-2550852308.html
https://www.contemporary-dance.org/mary-wigman.html
https://www.nytimes.com/1993/07/24/arts/review-dance-the-this-worldly-side-of-nikolais.html

Pictures: 
https://assets.rbl.ms/17466167/980x.jpg
https://assets.rbl.ms/17466174/980x.jpg
https://assets.rbl.ms/17466172/980x.jpg